Make Your Own

If you’re like me, you come across ideas - on television, in magazines, online, in your imagination - and then you set about putting some of those ideas into action.  But sometimes it’s not as easy as going to the store and picking up a ready-made version.  Don’t fret.  Just make your own.  Let’s explore some DIY projects to bring about display-worthy results.

Sometimes 1 and 1 makes a pretty attractive 2.  Standard canisters can be just that – standard.  But for your kitchen or craft storage, you have the option to take either mason jars or apothecary jars in various shapes and sizes and combine them with a stencil and paint for a customized version.  You could spray paint numbers or words on the outside for a streamlined look to your countertop or cabinet storage. Or you could paint a decorative section of chalkboard paint for easy-to-change labeling.

Coasters are another simple make-at-home project that add a little pop of color or print to your side tables.  Use 4 inch plain white square tiles from the hardware store and top them with a section of craft paper you decoupage on with the special glue, tiny glass tiles on the mesh backing you apply with Thinset, or even small objects like a grid of Scrabble tiles you superglue on to the base.  Add some small felt pads to the underside of the four corners, and you’re ready to drink up in style.

Whether you’re organizing at home or decorating a gift with a custom tag, those pretty labels you see on the creations of others aren’t always ready-made. Your best bet may be to buy white cardstock or labels to run through your own home printer and get crafty in a program like Publisher or find modern templates online.  Choose 6-per-page round stickers, square or rectangular labels, or full sheet label pages you can custom cut, all in a glossy finish, and put your own touch on your stored containers, wrapped presents, or give-away kitchen treats.   Additionally, if you’re always in search of a great, new font, look into your online options for creating your very own font out of your handwriting to use on your projects and invitations.

If the commercial wall calendars you find fall short of your family organizing purposes, make your own.  Wall space in your back entryway or laundry room can be spray painted with chalkboard paint to give you a custom sized surface to work with.  And then use stencils or painters’ tape to paint white or colored gridlines, a section for notes, days of the week, or a creative heading on the fully dry surface.  Use chalk to change your month, dates, and to-do notes, and have a place to see one big family schedule.            

You may be your best asset for adding customized elements to your home when you get crafty and make your own versions of popular items that really are display-worthy.  

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 2nd.

You Can Never Have Too Many . . .

The words “stocking up” can cause you to imagine stuffing your cart or storage closet with an abundance of bulk items that you may or may not be able to use up in, well, a lifetime.  So the phrase “you can never have too many” can be taken to extremes, but for all practical purposes, let’s look at some smaller items it’s okay to toss a few extra of in your shopping cart so you never come up short when you need them.

Cocktail Napkins – For a party or for everyday use with company and the family alike, these decorative, square beauties can add a little flair to a drink tray or table spread.  With all the designs, colors, and themes to choose from, having multiples on hand throughout the year makes them grab-and-go easy.

Note Cards and Envelopes – For a thank you note, birthday card, or gift tag, having cardstock note cards at the ready can save you last minute trips to the store when an occasion arises.  Look for options in a rainbow of colors, textures, and designs, or have some custom stationery printed with your name or monogram.  Make sure you have the right size envelopes on hand as well, which can also be purchased in a wide variety of shades.

Candles – With beautiful scents and attractive packaging, candles in pillars and jars in particular can be a great post-season sale item to stock up on.  Keep sweet, fruity, baked goods, or cologne smelling candles on hand for all year burning, too.

Gift Wrapping Supplies –Wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift wrap tape, and rolls of ribbon all at home can be a real timesaver the next time a gift giving opportunity presents itself.  You can forgo the theme-specific baby and birthday wrap taking up your storage space and instead opt for picking up rolls in modern prints, patterns, and attractive colors that offer you both gender options to use for any purpose.  

Storage Baskets – Attractive enough to sit out and functional enough to divide and conquer your storage space, storage baskets in a variety of sizes and shapes shouldn’t go to waste if you capitalize on a sale and add a few more to your collection.  Use them to hold anything from bathroom toiletries and towels to toys and books to chords and craft supplies.

Keep your eyes peeled for good deals on everyday items it doesn’t hurt to have a few more of, and then take them home and put them to work for you, saving time, space, or just simply being beautiful.   

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 26th.

Vamp Up Your Valentine’s Day: Plan Ahead Ideas

Don’t let commercialism get you down about Valentine’s Day.  If you get wrapped up in “this is just a holiday to boost card sales,” you miss an opportunity to express your love in creative, sweet ways to your spouse, your children, your parents, or other loved ones.  Instead, ditch the day-of dash for a box of chocolates and opt for a pre-planned treat sure to entice that “I love you” right back.

Your gift doesn’t have to be edible, so think outside the heart-shaped box.  Take a deck of playing cards and a permanent marker, and delve into why your Valentine is loved.  Use the king or queen of hearts as your top card, and write “52 Reasons Why I Love You” across the middle.  And then use each card as a love note, outlining one-liners about big and small reasons you love this special gift recipient.  You could also print out a photo page that says “I love you because:” with a big blank line underneath it.  Frame the page, and use a dry erase marker on the frame’s glass to write your fill-in-the-blank message and be able to change out the reason.  This could offer up a gift that keeps giving. 

Look up online recipes for making your own unique gifts, like a scented hand scrub that only takes a few simple ingredients.  Fill up a small mason jar with your concoction, and add your own custom made label to the lid.  Or take different kinds of candy and fill up your own jar and add a custom label or tag that offers a play on words, like a jar of gummy worms that says “I’m hooked on you,” or a jar of all one color of candy or gumballs with one standout piece in a different color with a tag that says “You’re one in a million.” 

For the kids, make the morning memorable with red and pink helium balloons filling the kitchen at breakfast and serving heart-shaped pancakes or an egg dish with some pink strawberry milk.  Send them off to school with the Valentines theme in their heart-shaped sandwich cutout, dipped strawberries, and some red and pink confetti in their lunchbox.

 To satisfy their (and your) sweet tooth, opt for gifting themed cupcakes, homemade cookies, cake pops, pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and then colored sprinkles, or marshmallow rice treats with red and pink candy pieces mixed in.  Sweet, but not standard.

Explore your options for offering up loving gifts that took a little thought and a little time to tell your Valentine why you would pick them all over again.  

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 19th.

Mark Your Calendars

Prep, plan, and preview the best times in 2014 to upgrade, update, and underpay for items you want to add to your home.  Retailers are keen on what is popular to purchase in certain months, and many are happy to oblige with lower price tags to entice shoppers through their doors.  So mark your calendars for a year of home savings made simple.  

January is a prime month to get a discounted rate on exercise equipment.  Weight loss and better fitness top many New Year’s Resolution lists, and consumers can buy machines and smaller accessories alike for less.  Additionally, winter sales on bedding and towels can make this month a great time to bring home new linens.

February centers around electronics, with televisions and cameras topping the list.  TVs can be found for deeper discounts post Super Bowl, and new camera models for spring drop the prices on 2013 versions.

March starts to warm things up across the country, and those with a green thumb get to work, causing discounted prices aplenty on lawn equipment, seeds, plants, and mulch.  This is also a great month to invest in some new luggage if yours has seen one too many rounds on the luggage carousel.       

April is a home decorator’s key month to take advantage of graduation, Mother’s Day, and the summer’s wedding season with retail discounts on décor and accessories that make perfect gifts.  Pick up some new candles, glassware, or picture frames for less.  To keep things tidy, a new vacuum cleaner can be found for less before new models roll out in early summer.

May sales focus on the great outdoors with price cuts on patio grills for seasonal entertaining and more plants, both flowers and vegetables, as planting season is wrapping up.  Sprucing up your patio before the summer barbeques start just got easier.

June is the top of wedding season, and your kitchen can benefit from the plethora of gift registries being shopped from out there with lower costs on dishes, glasses, and flatware. With Father’s Day approaching, the popular gift of tools can be purchased for less, allowing you to stock up for your honey-do projects around the house.

July sales drop prices on big ticket items like mattresses, allowing you to upgrade your master bedroom’s central element.  Home improvement stores discount cans of paint, making the summer an advantageous time to maximize your paint budget, adding new color indoors or out.

August rounds out the summer season, discounting some plants and shrubs, giving you one more opportunity to upgrade your curb appeal before the temperature starts to dip.  If your home office could use a revamp, shop around for a new computer right along with all those college students helping sales pop up.

September is all about the furniture sales, for your home and your patio.  Labor Day ticket prices fall for couches, chairs, beds, and tables, along with outdoor patio table sets and lounge furniture.

October offers another kitchen upgrade with less expensive pots, pans, and other cookware right before the holiday season.

November can add to that kitchen wish list with slashed prices on small appliances perfect for the countertop, as well as helping you get a jump on Christmas gifts before December.

December is a good time to look into discounted flooring for your home, since sales can increase while personal home spending takes a backseat to gifts for under the tree.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 12th.

New Year Redesign

The plastic bins come out, the Christmas decorations come down, and then you look around and think . . . now what?  The temptation is there to run out and buy new accessories and décor to fill in your now bare, sad looking tables, shelves, and other furniture tops.  After all, Christmas decorations fill up your home, and they’re warm and homey, and when they’re put away, you want that feeling to stay behind.  A little simple redesign can be what you need to make your pre-holiday look feel fresh and new again.

Moving things around and rearranging can make a big difference, because you’re introducing your eye to a new layout to feast on.  This is a great time of year to rearrange furniture like the configuration of your couches or the orientation of your bed.  If you feel like tackling that project, the time and energy investment will allow you to reap the rewards well into spring.

Whether you go big or not, you can focus on your small décor and ratchet up its pop factor with a series of switcheroos.  To really carry it throughout the house, clear the dining table and maybe some other nearby furniture surfaces.  Take every small decoration on display around your home and place it on the table.  Remove your frames, vases, bowls, book stacks, little statues, figurines, candlesticks, and the like.  Now would be a great time to really dust well, by the way.  And then go “shopping.”  Look over your in-house selection and take your own pieces and place them in new places in different rooms.  Make fresh groupings of accessories on your shelves and tables.  In the end, save yourself something for a dining room centerpiece. 

Another step to take would be to move your wall art around.  You may have a hallway mirror that would look great in your entryway for a while.  A family collage of photos hanging in the living room could get a revamp with more current images and a different layout.  There could be smaller pieces spread here and there that would take on a more gallery look if they were hung all together on a prominent family room wall. 

You’ll find that your eye is drawn to your new creative arrangements when you walk into a room in the same way it is when you bring something brand new home.  The same ol’ same ol’ can get stale with time and familiarity.  Shake things up this January for a renewed look and perhaps outlook in 2014.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 5th.

           

10, 9, 8, 7 . . .

Midweek, we’ll say goodbye to 2013 and usher in a new year filled with opportunities unknown.  So to give this year a proper sendoff and 2014 a great jumpstart, let’s celebrate!

If you are a keepsake compiler, a great way to archive not just your things but your memories is to sit down and take a little time to jot down or type out some highlights from the past 12 months.  Flip through your planner or scan your photo files on your computer.  And then make some notes, just for you or for posterity, and slip them in with your keepsakes.  If this tradition is kept up, it would a neat collection to go back over years down the road and look back at what you found special and noteworthy.

Make some New Year’s resolutions.  What may seem like an old tradition could be the catalyst you need to boost you toward action on an issue.  If you share your list with someone close to you, that accountability factor could help you work out a manageable pace to accomplish something important to you.

Speak up.  If you owe someone a thank you, an apology, or simply a spoken “I love you,” don’t let more time pass without voicing it.  Because this time of year is a time of reflection, there’s no time like the present.  Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate achievements and learn from missteps.  Start the New Year with a clean slate.

Mark the occasion.  Maybe you want to enjoy a quiet New Year’s Eve at home, or maybe you want to invite some friends or family over to ring in the New Year as the ball drops.  You can keep it simple and celebratory at the same time.  A selection of hors d'oeuvres can stand in for a sit-down meal.  A bubbly punch can be raised in a toast instead of a flute of champagne.  And a fancy dessert isn’t needed when some juicy strawberries dipped in dark chocolate line a serving tray made for passing. 

Count down along with those huddled in Times Square, wave glowing sparklers in your backyard, wear the pointed hat and blow on the noisemaker with gusto, or watch the skyline at midnight for pretty pops of light.  However you choose to celebrate, make it a safe and Happy New Year.  Here is to turning the page on a 2014 full of promise, joy, love, and hope to last all year long . . . 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . Happy New Year!     

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 29th.

Merry, Bright Ideas

As you tie up your holiday cheer with ribbons and bows, here are some concepts to add some extra twinkle to your Kris Kringle this week.

Again taking a page out of some great commercials’ playbooks this season, there are some cute ideas literally floating out there that would leave memorable marks on your Christmas morning.  I love the concept of tying smaller, lightweight and unwrapped presents to the strings of helium balloons and allowing them to float to the ceiling.  You’d have the kids truly jumping up and down over their loot.  Another alterative gift presentation idea is to wrap up one gift to completely look like another.  They may think they know what they’re in for by the wrapping’s shapely appearance, but tearing into it comes up with something unexpected.  Fun shapes, crafty use of wrapping paper, and some imagination is all you’ll need to pull off this undercover project. 

Make Christmas morning magical with sweet and special plans for breakfast.  Use cookie cutters as pancake batter molds for anything-but-standard shapes, like a pancake snowman with chocolate chip features and a piece of bacon for a scarf.  Shape your cinnamon rolls into a pull-apart Christmas tree on a sheet pan, or layer waffle quarters to make one Christmas tree per plate.   

As you enjoy some time at home, you can fuel the sugar rush likely going on by turning snack time into party time.  Set up a sundae bar, a hot chocolate station, or a s’mores station to get the kids involved and excited about a special treat.  Make the everyday snacks more enticing by cubing fruit and turning them into kabobs or building fun designs out of crackers, pretzels, sandwich cutouts, and vegetables for dipping.  Make a meal of bite-sized appetizers instead of going the full plate route one night.  

Pile on the couch and have a Christmas movie marathon of your favorites, whether older traditional movies or more cult classics top your holiday list.  Don’t forget the popcorn dressed up with chocolate and peanuts or grated parmesan and dried minced garlic.  You can make up your own trivia games, taking turns offering a snippet of a Christmas song, leaving a blank for others to shout out and fill in.  The one with the first correct answer gets to offer the next song selection.  Or you could base trivia questions on family history, using past holiday experiences, stories, funny memories, previous gifts, or other applicable remember-when memory joggers. 

It doesn’t take a guest list or even a houseful to create a fun and memorable atmosphere to share with your family this week.  After all, this is an incredibly joyous time as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and that, the ultimate gift, is more worthy of celebration and merriment than anything else this time of year.  So I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and may the greatest gift we give to others be, above all, filled with love.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 22nd.

    

Wrap It Up, Santa

Oh, the woes of still having gifts-to-give unchecked on your list halfway into December!  When you really want to give thoughtful gifts, but think time is trickling down, turn to some unwrap-worthy ideas from this Santa’s list:

Customized Gifts, ordered online and shipped with a little more speed

Coffee mug, customized with a monogram, name, logo, or funny saying between you and the recipient • Set of monogrammed coasters • Cutting board with an engraved initial •   Custom throw pillow printed with your own design • Barware glasses with letter or wording etched in • Custom phone case • Personalized luggage tags • Serving tray with family name or initials • Personalized stationery • Customized guest hand towels • Framed print of a special photo or place • Custom wall calendar with your own photos •  Labels or stickers with a name or monogram • Monogrammed cosmetic tote   

Gift Options bought locally or online

Glassware set • Ceramic or porcelain jars • Throw blanket • Clutch purse or wristlet • Decorative boxes • Set of chargers, placemats, or napkins • Serving platter, tray, or bowl • Modern figurine or small statue • Pretty tealight candle holders • Throw pillows • Makeup brush set • Cosmetic travel bag • Decorative salt and pepper shakers or sugar bowl and creamer • Ceramic cake stand • Dessert or appetizer plate set • Glass vase or bowl • Set of small hostess knives/spreaders • Tea kettle • Decorative frames • Set of kitchen or bath soaps • Cookie cutter set • Set of attractive notebooks or journals     

You want the thought to count and the gift to be well received.  You don’t have to think so big you break the budget; some simple, affordable pieces can be under-the-tree favorites when the bows come off and the torn paper starts piling up.  The countdown is at 10 and ticking down.  So be swift, crafty, and wrap it up, Santa! 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 15th.

  

What's Cool This Christmas

If you want to be in-the-know for the top decorating trends this Christmas season, the key word is “DIY.”  Here are some popular themes you should see plastered all over online boards like Pinterest that could pretty handily make their way into your home.

Chalkboard Art – Chalkboards continue to be all the rage, whether it’s a framed chalkboard hanging on the wall or a section of wall painted in chalkboard paint.  For Christmas, drawing out scripted seasonal messages, as well as adding chalk accents around a wreath or a series of hanging ornaments will both be attention getters.

Lettering – Using a computer program like Publisher or Photoshop to make your own Christmas wall art (or simply ordering someone else’s completed piece online) is a simple DIY decorative idea.  Using different lettering sizes, colors, and fonts, words and phrases of the season are grouped together in collections, typically in paragraph form with justified margins, allowing you to make and print an 8”x10” or 11”x14” and then frame as a single or a collection of a few pieces of wording wall art.  These would look great in the dining room, near the Christmas tree, or as part of your entryway décor.

Feathers – Four colly birds, three French hens, and two turtle doves get a fresh take this season with feather décor being a popular trend.  Feather wreaths hanging on the front door or from the mantle add a modern twist on the typical greenery. 

Open Frames – We’ve seen them before, and they are still hanging around; open frames make great backdrops for loose ornaments hanging from thin ribbon strands.  Spread them out along the top of the frame, or bunch them together and tie a grouping in the middle.  Hang the 3-D art on the wall or in place of a wreath on the door.  Frames also set the scene for string strands strung (say that 5 times fast) from side to side with small clothespins holding little squares of cardstock with the days of the month printed on them.  Let the kids count down the days to Santa by removing one number each night.   

Off-Season Collections – red and green are traditional, but a whole collection of bright colors like pinks and blues, summery seashells, or a monochromatic theme can deck your halls, walls, and tree as well.  You may not be into snowmen and reindeer.  Find alternative decorations, carry your theme throughout, and have an off-white Christmas all your own.

Crafts – Crafts in general are popular this month, and they go beyond classroom artwork of the past.  Look into options for making your own accents and accessories like small Christmas trees made out of a wide variety of materials, painted or decoupage ornaments, handcrafted wreaths, and custom centerpiece components.

Your imagination’s the limit when it comes to options for making your home merry and bright this holiday season.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 8th.

     

In a Jar

You have plenty of time not to get yourself in a jam and instead work on some DIY Christmas gifts before the month is up.  A popular trend this year for homemade exchanges will be centered around the Mason jar.

“Fill ‘er up” applies to more than just the gas tank.  Turn a simple Mason jar into a modern, thoughtful Christmas gift fitting for kids, neighbors, teachers, family, and friends.  Showcase half of your baking skills by layering the dry ingredients of a cookie, cake, or brownie recipe in a mason jar, decorate the outside with a ring of craft paper or fabric, and tie it off using twine with a recipe card with all the details attached.  Be sure and add a cute “To” and “From” tag as well.  If you’re sharing an old family recipe, that makes it even sweeter.

Use a Mason jar like a twist on a gift box by using one or a small bunch to house a gift of art supplies for the crafty one or kitchen utensils for the cook.  Decorate the jar’s exterior with layers of craft paper rings, ribbon, and string, or decorate with paint by spray painting the inside of the jar, making sure the outside stays clean.  To have a monogram show through, use a glue stick to carefully adhere one to three letters you’ve printed and cut out to the inside of the jar, then spray paint the inside.  When it dries, carefully peel away the letters to reveal the outlines in the clear glass.  Pop in paint brushes, sponge brushes, colored pencils or markers, or go the route of spatulas, spoons, and kitchen shears. 

Mason jars of varying sizes can also be used like a snow globe.  Use your crafting skills for this one.  Create a mini outdoor scene on the underside of the lid, affixing your items with hot glue.  You could find inspiration in the miniatures’ section of a craft store, like a little Christmas tree, other trees with a park bench, or a little house.  You could even use some fake grass for the yard of a miniature house or moss for the floor of a forest.  Add a scoop of the sprinkley kind of fake snow or bigger pieces of glitter, twist the jar onto the lid carefully, and test your snow globe effect (once the glue is firmly set) by gently turning the jar upside down and back – no water needed.  If you’re happy with your design, use a little hot glue along the rim to secure the lid permanently. 

Your options are only limited by your imagination . . . and your online searches for more ideas.  Plant a succulents garden in a jar and give as a no-fuss green thumb gift for Grandma.  Make batches of cookies and give them away one stack at a time in jars for your neighbors, co-workers, or the kids’ teachers.  Wow the kids with brightly colored hard candy or lollipops in their stocking.  Layer in banana pudding, homemade pie, or even a layered green salad to give a tasty treat straight from the fridge or to serve at a gathering.   

A single Mason jar can be transformed into any number of thoughtful, simple gifts.  Add an extra layer of homemade sweetness when you share your creations this Christmas.  

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 1st.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tyler and Krystal Stenseng

Set the Table

If you will have a houseful on Thanksgiving Day, you could wow them all with a tablescape that calls them to their seat almost as easily as the feast itself. 

Play up the fruits and veggies of the season and give those pumpkins of yours their last hay day for the year.  Run a staggered line of pumpkins, real or faux, down the middle of the table.  Accent them with anything from mesquite branches to pinecones, acorn squash, gourds, and berries.  Your pumpkins could be painted to spell out “Thanks” or another seasonal message.  And your accents could be scattered about or in glass pillar or square vases. 

If you have a good collection of glass vases and/or apothecary jars in varying heights, sizes, and shapes, fill them with layers as you would a trifle bowl.  Use nuts in their shell like pecans, walnuts, macadamias, pistachios, and Brazil nuts.  Mix in things like dried black, kidney, or pinto beans, dried cranberries, and deer corn.  Accent your collection with fall leaves or small pinecones.  For a different sweet spin with lots of color, fill them with candy corn, M&Ms® in yellow, orange, and white, plus mini candy pumpkins, gumballs in orange, red, and green, and other mainstream candy that offers a fall twist.  If someone sneaks a little treat before or after the meal, even better.

To keep things really simple, involve the kids in a little centerpiece art project by spelling out a phrase like “Give Thanks” or “Thanksgiving” or something of your choosing in individual decorative letters on craft paper or cardstock.  Hang each letter with twine or ribbon run through a hole-punched spot from thin branches you stake in a series of jars or vases down the table’s center.  The glassware could be filled with any of the above mentioned fillers to hold your lightweight branches in place.  Those branches could come from the craft store or simply the mesquite tree in your yard. 

Another creative, modern concept I have seen on television is to cover the entire table with black bulletin board paper in place of a tablecloth, and give your guests chalk to use for a little mealtime fun.  You could pre-write your own messages, including writing a scripted name over each place setting instead of a place card or adding conversation starters like “I am thankful for . . .”  You could mark spots for butter or salt and pepper, or you could write parts of the menu spread around the table.  When you turn them loose with chalk right in line with their silverware or in little mason jars around the table, you could have quite the masterpiece by the end of the meal. 

Gather the family around the table, whether beautiful, whimsical, or unique, and come away with full tummies and big smiles.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 24th.

Fun Feasting

A feast awaits you just around the corner.  If the title of host or hostess is one you wear proudly, you may enjoy the concept of adding fun party elements to your traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Listing things you’re thankful for as you sit down around the table is very sweet.  If you want to give your guests more time to ponder their answers, set up Mason jars or a punch bowl with plenty of slips of paper, pens, and a sign with instructions so answers can be written down throughout the day.  When you serve up the pie slices for dessert, take turns drawing a slip out, reading the answer aloud, and trying to guess who the author is.

The Super Bowl may be a few months away, but you could turn part of your Thanksgiving Day at home into a true football fan event.  If being gathered around the big screen sounds more appealing than the floury work around the kitchen island, turn your turkey dinner into a more appetizer based menu to enjoy bite by bite.  Traditional menu items – green bean casserole, sweet potato soufflé, dressing with gravy – can all be made more appetizer-sized when cooked in muffin tins to make individual portions.  Set out your trays with single serve portions, and root for your team, turkey sandwich in tow.

I can’t take credit for this one, but it is certainly worth mentioning.  I’m sure we’ve all seen the commercial this season that shows a fall photo backdrop scene set up beside the dinner table with smiling family members taking silly pictures, paper mustaches on sticks in hand.  With a little creativity (and craft paper), you could set up your own photo backdrop complete with props and have table guests pose again and again.  Your theme could be anything you choose, and the props could be simple and homemade.  If you use a tripod or set your digital camera in one spot, like on a medium height piece of furniture or half wall, your pictures would have a background that doesn’t move between shots, making the end result a flip book style series of funny and memorable photos. 

As the day is winding down, you start to feel the excitement of Christmas coming.  Some families have the tradition of taking down their fall decorations that night and starting in on their Christmas décor.  You could finish out the night with some hot chocolate or apple cider as you marvel at your freshly strung twinkly lights.  Or you could take the more laidback road and all snuggle up on the coach with your favorite Christmas movie and some caramel popcorn to kick off the next phase of the holiday season.        

Any little something extra you stir into the mix this Thanksgiving Day, you’ll be sure to have them all just gobble-gobble it up.  

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 17th.

You Can't Go Wrong With . . .

Some of you early birds are scratching gift purchases off your Christmas list left and right, and some will wait a little closer to the 25^th of December.  But we all find ourselves in the same boat at one point or another: what to get for the special people in our lives.  Everyone has different tastes, and our knowledge of our gift recipients’ likes varies.  It’s nice to have a go-to list of things that can express our joy of sharing during the holiday season without feeling like the gift you give will go unused.  Here is one such classic list, just short, simple, and sweet:

White Dishes – Timeless, easy, and beautiful on any table, white dishes are a staple for the dining table.  Whether they are for your mom, aunt, or the hostess in your circle of friends, white dishes are pretty fool-proof in the gift giving department.  Dinner plates, salad plates, cereal bowls, small appetizer plates, and serving platters and bowls can be used for any number of occasions right along with everyday meals.  Wrap them up, and watch her mouth water when it’s present opening time.

Framed Mirrors – Picking out wall art for someone else may lead you to a hit or a miss.  Go with that concept without the specifics of selecting a design.  Choose a medium size or a few smaller framed mirrors to gift instead.  Stick to a classic frame in a metallic, wood, or neutral painted finish.  Let your recipients reflect their own décor style back at them in the shiny surfaces.

Serving Trays – Clear acrylic or melamine rectangles, as well as stainless steel rounds, make great materials for a pretty serving tray.  They may accent someone’s bar area for glasses, foyer table for mail, coffee table for magazines, or holiday buffet for appetizers, and they are impartial enough to mix with any number of personal styles. 

Glass – Your sister may love a new vase for her centerpiece, the socialite in your group may appreciate a set of champagne flutes, or grandma may enjoy an aromatic candle in a glass cylinder.  Glass is another timeless material that comes in a countless array of forms and makes a gift you can tailor multiple ways to personalize for any nametag under your tree.

Gift Cards – Impersonal?  I say no.  You’re giving the gift of selection, and that can be made incredibly personal by the card you choose.  Give a gift card to a store we don’t have locally to give someone something special with more variety and an opportunity to shop online or while on a trip.  Or give a credit card gift card, essentially a pre-paid debit card, that could be used at any store that accepts that kind of plastic.  You can tailor your choice – a book store card to the reader, a kitchen store card to the cook, a coffee gift card to the latte sipper – or you can offer up a general opportunity to shop-and-swipe.

Put a little thought into how you can turn gifts that could fit just about anyone into presents that both excite when they’re opened and get put to great use because they’re loved.  Aren’t you a smart Santa?        

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 10th.

  

Fall-Ready Weekday Lunches

Whether you’re weeks into the school year and getting repetitive with lunchbox content, brown bagging the same old meals to work, or wanting to shake up your plate at home, look into simply doable recipes online for these fall-ready weekday lunches.

Capitalize on seasonal produce at your local grocery store to set this season’s midday meals apart.  Veggies like eggplant, butternut squash, asparagus, zucchini, and sweet potatoes make great side dishes and soups.  Both eggplant and sweet potatoes can be sliced into French fry strips, dipped in flour then egg then grated parmesan cheese, and baked in the oven on a rack on a half sheet pan until crispy.  Mix mayo with roasted garlic for a delicious dipping sauce, and you have a healthier alternative to the typical fries.  Roast any of these vegetables with some onion until brown and softened, blend them with seasonings, a little olive oil, plain yogurt, and chicken stock until smooth, and heat through for a rich and filling soup.    

A sandwich is a sandwich . . . unless you make it more!  Trade in typical bread slices for ciabatta rolls instead.  Spread some of that garlic mayo or pesto sauce in lieu of the usual condiments.  Switch roasted turkey breast for ham.  Dress up your cheese choice with some Asiago or Romano in place of sandwich ready slices.  For a wrap with substance, use a wheat or spinach tortilla, and fill it with the browned meat of your choice or layers of roasted veggies.  Pile on some shredded coleslaw mixed in oil and vinegar, and top it off with sliced grape tomatoes, cilantro, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.       

For a tangy salad at home, mix olive oil and lemon juice in a mixing bowl with salt and pepper and thinly sliced purple onion.  Dice avocado and add in, topped with a pile of torn pieces of your favorite lettuce or greens.  (I love butter lettuce!)  Toss it all together to fully coat, and enjoy with some brown rice crackers. 

To take your typical tomato sauce up a seasonal notch, add roasted vegetables like squash and zucchini into the saucepan with your canned sauce and blend with an immersion blender until smooth, or put it all into a blender or Cuisinart to smooth before heating in a saucepan.  Dollop the hearty sauce onto spaghetti or penne, making each an easy to-go main dish.  To switch up your pasta, try “veggie pasta,” which really does taste good, or even bake a spaghetti squash and use the stringy insides in place of noodles.

Branch out and try new things.  Be willing to pick up new produce and explore new recipes to find fresh ways to satisfy your taste buds at lunchtime.     

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 3rd.